Microfluidic fabrication of photo-responsive hydrogel capsules

We report thermo- and photo-responsive hydrogel capsules, providing controlled encapsulation and triggered release of water-soluble encapsulants. Monodisperse O/W/O (oil-in-water-in-oil) double-emulsion drops are produced in a capillary microfluidic device as templates, which transform into hydrogel capsules upon polymerization of thermo-sensitive monomers in the water phase containing gold nanorods.